QSR1855/3/5/34

Depositions of John Thompson, labourer of Union Street in Bedford. In the case of James Johnson, labourer of Oakley, accused of stealing a measuring tape.

5 June 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

John Thompson: he lodged in Union Street, in the parish of St Paul, Bedford. He was a labourer under Mr Bell, agent of the Leicester & Hitchin Railway. He was working at the bridge which was being built to cross the river in the parish of Clapham. When he went to dinner, he left the prisoner sitting on the pile engine. He left the engine to go to the brook for water cups [?]. He left the tape on the engine and when he went back the prisoner had gone. About an hour after he had left the tape he missed it. He followed the prisoner to Bromham, and from there to Bedford, and from Bedford to Cardington Cross. He overtook him there and asked if he had the tape. The prisoner denied it. He told the prisoner if he gave it up he would do no more about it. The prisoner pulled the tape from his pocket and gave it to Thompson. It belonged to Mr Holloway who was the Inspector on the line and had delivered it to him to use.

item

Johnson, James,
Thompson, John,
Holloway

Bedford Union Street, stealing, OAKLEY, Leicester & Hitchin Railway, railway worker